Statement
UNICEF statement on bullying
UNICEF is deeply saddened by the recent reports of bullying among children in Malaysia. Bullying can have tragic consequences. No child should ever fear for their safety when going to school. No parent should worry they may not see their child return from school. Schools must be safe, joyful spaces where children...
Report
Reporting Mechanisms and Helplines in Malaysia
‘Reporting mechanisms’ are infrastructure / systems that support and enable (the process of) disclosing VAC, enable access to a wide range of support, and may facilitate access to justice processes. They are crucial ‘gateway’ components of any child protection system.This brief summarizes and presents contextual i...
Appeal
Letter from The Field 2022
The Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak (PAKK) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is more than just a centre—it's a beacon of hope for children living in challenging circumstances. Officially opened in January 2022, PAKK offers a nurturing environment where children, regardless of their citizenship status, can find safety, education...
Article
Menjunjung Tinggi Kepentingan Kanak-Kanak Dalam Sistem Keadilan
Berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul. Begitulah bagi si anak perempuan berusia tujuh tahun yang melalui keganasan rumah tangga; juga seorang budak lelaki berusia dua-belas tahun yang menjadi mangsa penderaan seksual; atau seorang gadis berusia empat-belas tahun menanggung derita penderaan fizikal. Bayangk...
Article
Upholding the Best Interest of the Child in the justice system
Imagine a seven-year-old girl who has experienced domestic violence, a twelve-year-old boy who has suffered sexual abuse or a fourteen-year-old girl who is a victim of physical abuse. Now imagine these same children, already traumatized by their experiences, being expected to recount their stories in court. They w...
Article
Easing the Road to Justice for Child Victims
UPDATE! , On April 6, 2023, the Dewan Negara passed the Evidence of Child Witness (Amendment) Bill 2023 to provide more extensive protection to children on the road to justice! Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said the amendment was phase o...
Press release
New report finds promising government initiatives to help end online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA, 29 September, - The ground-breaking Disrupting Harm report launched today highlights good practices and promising initiatives in Malaysia to tackle increasing concern of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). The report was produced by ECPAT International, INTERPOL and UNICEF Office of Rese...
Article
Building the Capacity of Malaysia’s Refugee Leaders to Better Protect Children
KUALA LUMPUR: For marginalised communities already struggling to make ends meet, such as refugees and migrants, life was more difficult than ever when COVID-19 hit. From experiencing domestic violence at home or having to beg on the streets to put food on the table for their family, to being arrested or detained, ...
Statement
Statement on deaths by suicide among children
My heart is broken by the news about the 872 young people in Malaysia who took their lives from January 2019 up to May 2021 as reported by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Children between 15 -18 years old made up 51 per cent of the total 1,708 suicide cases recorded in that time period. The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation efforts such as the…
Report
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Children & Families in Malaysia
Around the world, the spread of the pandemic has had a significant socioeconomic impact on the lives of people and has put considerable pressure on healthcare systems. It has revealed how vulnerable many families are and how unprepared they were to face this unprecedented crisis. Medical personnel and social work ...
Campaign
Ending child marriage
Child marriage is a global phenomenon affecting the lives of millions of children each year. Malaysia is no exception. It was reported that between 2007 and 2017, approximately 15,000 cases were recorded in Malaysia, with child marriage occurring in all communities across the country. A variety of interlinking fac...
Report
Towards ending child marriage in Malaysia
Child marriage is a global phenomenon affecting the lives of millions of children each year. Malaysia is no exception. It was reported that between 2007 and 2017, approximately 15,000 cases were recorded in Malaysia, with child marriage occurring in all communities across the country. This Advocacy Brief outlines ...